Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk 

Second Sunday of Advent, Year B – December 10, 2017

Readings: Is 40:1-5.9-11; Responsorial Psalm Ps 9ab and 10.11-12.13-14 (R.8);

 2 Peter 3:8-14; Gospel Mk. 1:1-8.

Theme: Prepare a Way for the Lord!

Introduction

Dear friends in Christ, the Second Sunday of Advent calls Christians to prepare a way for the Lord. The liturgy charges us to be on top of our game in terms of spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ. Our refection tagged “Prepare a Way for the Lord” shall draw lessons from the mundane preparation we are often involved in, in the daily event of our lives towards furnishing us with the required spiritual recipe. To achieve this, we shall weave the homily around the scriptural texts. This will be followed by take-home lessons.

Synergy of this Sunday’s Sacred Texts

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah (Is 40:1-5.9-11) notes that “a voice cries out in the wilderness, prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.” The prophet addresses the Lord as the “joyful messenger of Zion and Jerusalem who comes with power to subdue all things to him.” What is worthy of note is the fact that the Lord is also described as a shepherd who feeds his flock, gathers the lambs in his arms and holds them in his breast.

The theme of preparation is also found in the second reading (2 Peter 3:8-14) wherein St. Peter makes it clear that the day of the Lord would come like a thief in the night. This is why he makes the point that “since everything is coming to an end like this, you should be living holy and saintly lives while you wait and long for the Day of God to come.” He stresses that since we are waiting for our redemption at the Lord’s return, we ought to “do our best to live lives without spot or stain” so that he will find us at peace.   

The message of the first and second reading on the theme of preparedness resonates with that of the gospel (Mk. 1:1-8). The prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading is fulfilled in John the Baptist who becomes the voice crying out in the wilderness. John is identified as “the mouth of God” who proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. What is more, like the first reading, the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem responded by going to the River Jordan to be baptized and have their sins forgiven. John’s apparel of camel-skin as well as locusts and honey as food reveals a frugal spirituality. He is also identified by his humility to acknowledge that he is not the Christ and that the person coming after him is more powerful, whose sandals he is unable to undo.  

Application to Pastoral Context

1. As we spend so much time in preparing for a school examination or job interview, the Lord demands that our spiritual concentration during this Advent Season should be like a physician carrying out a caesarian section.

2. In like manner, just as we prepare for see a local chief, governor or president, we must make extra effort in preparing for the coming of the Lord by making a straight highway for our God in our hearts.

3. In the light of the Season of Advent, we must fill every valley of spiritual emptiness and level every mountain or hill of pride low in our lives.

4. We must appropriate St. Peter’s call to holiness by using this Holy Season to live saintly lives while we await the coming of Christ at Christmas and his second coming in glory.

5. Our liturgy behoves us to create the new heavens and the new earth by wearing the garment of righteousness through living without spot or stain.

6. Since the Lord expects to find us at peace, we must use the period of Advent to be advocates of peace-building and creating a pluralistic society where everyone has the opportunity of living his or her life to the full. 

7. We are challenged to emulate John by always becoming “the mouth of God” in furtherance of the reign God.

8. The humility and frugal spirituality of John reminds us about these virtues which are forgotten in our age thus challenging us to shun pride by embracing mortification for the sake of the kingdom of God.

9.  We are called upon to take the example of the people of Judea and Jerusalem who responded to John’s call by going to the river Jordan to be baptized to as a matter of urgency, seek the sacraments of baptism and penance so as to have a blessed Advent Season.

Homiletic Quotes to Remember

1. The Second Sunday of Advent calls Christians to prepare a way for the Lord.

2. The liturgy charges us to be on top of our game in terms of spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ.

3. Our liturgy presents the Lord as a Shepherd who feeds his flock, gathers the lambs in his arms and holds them in his breast.

4. It makes the point that since we are waiting for our redemption at the Lord’s return, we ought to do our best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find us at peace.

5. The humility and mortification of John also challenges us to do same.   

Conclusion

In sum, our liturgy reminds us about the popular dictum “failure to plan is planning to fail.” As such, we must prepare an inn in our hearts where the baby Jesus would be born. In preparing a way for the God, our physical preparation must not surpass the spiritual. This implies that we must ask the Holy Spirit to help us in reconciling with our enemies and putting a smile on the faces of those who are materially disadvantaged during this Holy Season. May our preparation dispose us for the blessings of this season and beyond. Have a blessed week!